Looking for a degree that stands out? Some college programs are anything but ordinary. These unusual degrees could lead you to niche jobs with surprising pay. If you are tired of traditional career paths, it might be time to consider something different.
Adventure Education
Are you happiest outdoors? Adventure education might fit you perfectly. This degree prepares you to lead outdoor activities like rock climbing, backpacking, and kayaking. You could work for summer camps, schools, or even design corporate team-building programs.
Best programs: Plymouth State University in New Hampshire and Prescott College in Arizona.
Potential salaries: Outdoor program managers can make around $50,000 a year. Experienced guides can earn more through private contracts.
Bakery Science
If you love baking, you can get a degree in it. Kansas State University offers a degree in bakery science that teaches you everything about commercial baking operations.
You will learn about production, quality assurance, and even how to run your own bakery business.
Potential jobs: Production supervisors, food scientists, or small business owners. Salaries range from $40,000 to $70,000 depending on the role and experience.
Theme Park Engineering
Want to build roller coasters or design theme parks? Theme park engineering is a growing, specialized field. You design rides that are fun and safe while pushing creative limits.
Where to study: California State University, Long Beach offers a themed entertainment design program. Some engineering schools offer electives related to this field too.
Job outlook: Engineers at major theme parks like Disney and Universal can earn six figures with enough experience.
Mortuary Science
Death is a serious business. Mortuary science degrees prepare you to become a mortician, funeral director, or embalmer. It covers everything from grief counseling to practical embalming techniques.
Top schools: Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, University of Minnesota.
Average salary: Funeral service workers make about $58,000 annually, with higher salaries in urban areas.
Viticulture and Enology
Love wine? You can study how to grow grapes and make wine professionally. Viticulture focuses on grape growing, and enology is the science behind wine making.
Well-known programs: Cornell University and University of California–Davis.
Career options: Vineyard manager, winemaker, or wine marketer. Average salary ranges from $50,000 to $120,000 based on experience and location.
Bowling Industry Management
Yes, there is a degree for this. Vincennes University in Indiana offers a program in bowling industry management and technology. It teaches you how to manage bowling centers, understand the mechanics of pinsetters, and even coach players.
Career path: Bowling alley manager or equipment technician. Managers can earn $40,000 to $70,000 a year depending on the center’s size and location.
Sexuality Studies
Sexuality studies look at human sexuality from psychological, sociological, and cultural perspectives. Graduates work in education, counseling, or public health.
Programs: San Francisco State University and Ohio State University offer degrees specializing in this area.
Job prospects: Sexual health educators earn about $55,000 on average. Counselors and researchers can make more depending on their credentials.
Canadian Studies
Interested in Canada beyond maple syrup and hockey? Canadian studies dive into its history, politics, and culture. It is great for careers in international relations, government, or journalism.
Where to study: Duke University and the University of Vermont.
Salaries: Diplomatic or government roles can pay starting salaries around $60,000. Journalists and researchers may earn slightly less at entry-level but can grow their income quickly.
Decision Sciences
Decision sciences mix data analysis, behavioral science, and math to help organizations make better decisions. It is a practical degree that companies highly value.
Universities: George Washington University and Indiana University.
Career paths: Data analyst, management consultant, or supply chain manager. Entry-level salaries often start around $65,000 to $75,000 with quick growth opportunities.
Fermentation Sciences
Fermented foods are booming. You can study the process scientifically with a fermentation sciences degree. Think beer, cheeses, pickles, kimchi, and more.
Programs: Appalachian State University and Colorado State University.
Career options: Microbrewery operator, quality assurance specialist, or food technologist. Salaries typically start at $45,000 and can rise to six figures if you operate your own brand successfully.
Foresight
Foresight is not fortune-telling. It is about analyzing trends and predicting how society, technology, and economics will change. Futurists help companies plan long-term strategies.
Schools: University of Houston offers one of the only master’s degrees in foresight.
Job titles: Strategic planner, innovation consultant, or risk analyst. Salaries range widely from $70,000 to over $150,000 based on experience and industry.
Amusement Park and Roller Coaster Engineering
Making people scream for joy safely is no easy task. Schools like California Polytechnic State University offer specialized lessons in ride systems engineering and entertainment design.
Roles: Ride engineer, safety tester, or mechanical designer. Salaries range from $70,000 to $110,000 after a few years of experience.
Caribbean Studies
Caribbean Studies programs take a deep look at a unique region with rich traditions, languages, and political challenges. Graduates find work in tourism, cultural organizations, or competitive graduate programs in law or business.
Available at: Brown University and Florida International University.
Income potential: Tourism sector jobs pay from $40,000 to $80,000, depending on experience and management levels.
Nautical Archaeology
If shipwrecks fascinate you, nautical archaeology could be your calling. You will study submerged ruins and artifacts from history’s maritime cultures.
Study programs: Texas A&M University is leading in this field.
Career paths: Researcher, museum curator, or site conservator. Pay varies widely, from $40,000 to over $90,000 depending on specialization and project funding.
Entertainment Engineering and Design
Like building large-scale productions? Entertainment engineering puts together technology and art for concerts, stage shows, and theme parks.
Top program: University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Career outlook: Engineers in this field often start at $70,000 and can earn $120,000+ with large projects or major clients.
Turfgrass Science
Keeping sports fields, golf courses, and parks healthy requires serious know-how. Turfgrass science teaches plant biology, pesticide use, and landscaping technology.
Best programs: Penn State and Clemson University.
Job roles: Golf course superintendent, grounds manager, or sod producer. Salaries typically start at $45,000 but grow past $100,000 in management roles.
Puppetry Arts
Puppetry is far from childish. Students learn performance, fabrication, and production management through programs like the University of Connecticut’s Puppetry Arts degree.
Possible jobs: Theater production, television work (like puppeteers for Sesame Street), or museum exhibits. Pay varies heavily but established artists can earn substantial income through shows and teaching.
Conclusion? Your Career Can Start Anywhere
If none of the traditional majors excite you, there is a world of opportunity in these unique degrees. Choose a path that matches your interests and strengths. You might find a career more rewarding — both financially and personally — than you ever imagined.
